Accelerando and Decrescendo

As I type from a coffee shop next to the Berklee School of Music, I can't help but inflict a musical theme or two. So for the non-music buffs, that's an increase in tempo with a decrease in volume. I think it's an apt description of the end of the House. Things began to move very, very quickly but then many of the "hot topic" motions were withdrawn prior to a vote. In fact, the House ended hours earlier than expected. Contrast that to last year when there was speed reading and a frenetic pace up to the last minute. But for now I'll move to the coda and share my thoughts.

While the House process always leaves behind some frustrations and lingering questions, there was at least one common theme that I found encouraging... mostly. There were two groups seeking to "find their voice". One was the PTAs as they continue to push for greater voting rights within the States. And the second was New Professionals. To me, "voice" was the central theme of essentially every bylaw amendment before the House. While it was more explicit in the PTA initiative, the 'block' of bylaws addressing APTA executive leadership related, both directly and rhetorically, to New Professionals.

If you weren't there, I'll spare you a description of the 150+ possible combinations of new rules the APTA almost had. I say almost, because none of them went to a vote and thus, nothing changed. Three different states brought forth initiatives to facilitate more rapid turnover of APTA leadership. Again, I'm oversimplifying to spare you the minutiae. Discussion went on but the entire issue (transcripts attached) was punted to the Governance Review Task Force, a group which probably didn't expect to take center stage in House activities this year. Best of luck to them as they try not to step on any toes now...

Good things that came from this year's House: APTA will be guiding us to better address the obesity epidemic. (Even if it's peds alone, we have to start somewhere.) APTA is more explicitly saying that torture is bad. (Despite it being inherent in our Code of Ethics, if our governing body wants it spelled out, so be it.) Extender language was discretely withdrawn. (I applaud the Private Practice folks for rousing a little rabble in the process.) And my personal favorite, the APTA is going to try to do a bit more of the "League Building" which I'm such a big fan of with other primary care provider organizations. (And I would like to politely take a little credit for that "other" being in there.)

Cheers to all!

Ben


ps~ Wish me luck being a mentor tonight at the Student Assembly mixer! And please, please, PLEASE, share with me what you all want this blog to be about!!! Coming soon: Passing the OCS, prepping for the NCS, Why lobbying is more effective if you're under 30, and a New Professional asking why we aren't on the APTA board yet! New Energy, new authors, and your topics!! (if you just email me them)

House Update

For those that are Twitter savvy (though, I'm only pretending to be), I'll be giving updates with the hashtag #hod2010.

~ben

Thoughts from Day 2

My biggest take away from today is that this year's House Motions justify the governance review process. What I mean by that is that we need to change the way we do business because we're doing the wrong business. It's not necessarily that I disagree with our process. I just think the resource allocation (human capital and financial) could be better allocated. For instance, this year there are a number of bylaw amendments being proposed because "It's a bylaws year." when in fact bylaws can be, albeit more difficulty, heard in any year with the right amount of support and prior warning. That may be a bit jargony but the point is that we're running on tradition over reason. I hope this theme won't persist. Instead of waiting to see what an appointed group recommends changing, we are debating, at great length, what changes should be made...

In other news though, a good group of New Professionals and current student leaders socialized, mentored, and networked over several tall, tasty pints at Pour House. Wish you all could have been there! More to come tomorrow.

Cheers and Good night,
Ben

Early thoughts on this year's House

My biggest take away from today is that this year's House Motions justify the governance review process. What I mean by that is that we need to change the way we do business because we're doing the wrong business. It's not necessarily that I disagree with our process. I just think the resource allocation (human capital and financial) could be better allocated. For instance, this year there are a number of bylaw amendments being proposed because "It's a bylaws year." when in fact bylaws can be, albeit more difficulty, heard in any year with the right amount of support and prior warning. That may be a bit jargony but the point is that we're running on tradition over reason. I hope this theme won't persist. Instead.of waiting to see what an appointed group recommends changing, we are debating, at great length, what changes should be made...

In other news though, a good group of New Professionals and current student leaders socialized, mentored, and networked over several tall, tasty pints at Pour House. Wish you all could have been there! More to come tomorrow.

Cheers and Good night,
Ben

Boston, Boston

Well, I'm unemployed and on my way to Boston.  I suppose, actually, I have a job waiting for me next Monday, but it still feels like limbo. The blog has been down for I while, but I'm hoping for a nice little spike in activity for the House of Delegates(APTA's governing body). 

There are a couple nice things on tap for New Professionals at this year's House.  Among other things, Laura Doskocil and I are trying to pull together all of the NP delegates for a caucus.  In the past, and this isn't a criticism, new delegates were primarily exposed to members of their own delegation, those sitting nearby, and perhaps a regional caucus.  This will be the first time a group of us convenes based on the New Professional demographic.  I am very curious to see how the opinions of this small group defer from those of the group at large, or if they do for that matter. 

I am also going to try gprs tweetcast from the House.  I've never done that before, so we'll see how it goes.  The two big issues worth bringing up in advance are a) should PTAs have full voting rights in each state chapter? and b) how should APTA term limits change to improve participation in leadership?  I've been accused of over simplifying the issues.  But, sometimes I find that help in order to see how people develop support or opposition for the underlying concept.  That, or I just over simplify... 


    Cheers and more to come (hopefully note from my phone in the airport),  Ben